Barista Trainer
Job Title: Barista Trainer
Reports To: HR
Location: Warehouse & Assigned Store Locations
Position Type: Part-Time or Full-Time (as needed)
Position Summary:
The Back of House (BOH) Barista Trainer plays a pivotal role in equipping new hires with the foundational skills and knowledge required to thrive in our barista program. The BOH Barista Trainer is the expert on our drink standards, customer service approach, and operational systems. They are responsible for ensuring all new baristas are trained to craft drinks to exact specifications, use the espresso machine properly, and understand how to handle guest interaction. The trainer also serves as a cultural ambassador, instilling the company’s core philosophy and guest service standards from day one.
The trainer delivers the four-day BOH training and determines if a trainee is a good & coachable fit for the company before they move on to store-level FOH training. The trainer must be able to teach both technical and cultural standards, Square POS usage, and hold trainees accountable to company expectations. The BOH Trainer works with HR to track onboarding progress.
Key Responsibilities:
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Training Facilitation:
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Deliver consistent, high-quality four-day BOH drink training sessions at the warehouse.
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Instruct baristas on proper espresso machine operation, beverage crafting, recipe adherence, and drink quality assurance.
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Teach the company’s full drink menu and recipes in detail, ensuring trainees can replicate them to standard.
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Demonstrate and train the correct use of the Square POS system, including ringing in modifiers and troubleshooting common issues.
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Instruct on how we handle customers & the nuances of our customer service approach.
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Model and coach company philosophy and guest interaction standards.
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Training Logistics:
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Schedule training sessions promptly within 24 hours of hire approval.
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Liaise with HR to monitor onboarding milestones such as permit submissions and documentation status.
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Prepare all instructional materials and confirm trainer availability for each shift.
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Onboarding Integration:
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Verify completion of employment documentation (e.g., I-9, W-4, Food Handler’s Permit) prior to training commencement.
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Facilitate handoff & communication with Store Managers and HR, including submission of feedback.
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Trainee Evaluation:
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Critically assess each trainee’s technical skills, professionalism, engagement, and fit with organizational culture.
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Provide actionable feedback and determine if the individual should proceed to FOH training or be exited from the process.
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Document assessments and decisions with clear rationale for HR and management records.
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External Trainer:
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Trains staff at cafes to which the Mill provides coffee as needed
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Makes cafe visits to check equipment, supplies, and dial in grinders
Qualifications:
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Thorough understanding of The Mill’s expectations for drink preparation and customer interaction.
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Preferred 1 year of Mill barista experience; prior experience in training, coaching, or team leadership is strongly preferred.
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Proficient in espresso extraction, milk steaming, and drink presentation according to specialty coffee standards.
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Strong grasp of health and safety regulations relevant to café operations.
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Exceptional interpersonal, coaching, and communication skills.
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Demonstrated ability to uphold The Mill standards and provide structured feedback.
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Highly organized and confident in making performance-related decisions.
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Passion for mentorship and alignment with The Mill's values and mission.
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Valid Food Handler’s Permit required; Alcohol Permit preferred (as applicable).